How Can Other Adults Join Your Club Advisor Team?
Every 4-H head coach (organizational club advisor), may have a parent or another adult that is interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer. You will want to help guide them through the Ohio 4-H Volunteer Process. The Ohio State University Extension does not recognize "parent or adult helpers" as approved volunteers in the organization. "An OSU Extension/4-H Volunteer is an individual who gives of their time, energy and talents to Ohio State University Extension serving a vulnerable population (youth, elderly and/or disabled persons)." If you have adults in your club that wish to meet this definition of a volunteer, we encourage you to have them apply to become a 4-H club volunteer.
You can help them successfully complete these steps to join your club advisor team.
When fans want to move from the stands onto the coaching sidelines, help them through the volunteer process.
- Review the 4-H Volunteer Position Description(s) for the volunteer position(s) you are seeking their assistance or they are interested in helping with for your club.
- Complete and submit to the County Extension Office a 4-H Volunteer Application which includes personal information and three personal (non-family) references. The County Extension Educator will contact personal references to complete a reference form by phone, mail or face-to-face.
- Read and agree to uphold the 4-H Volunteer Standards of Behavior by signing and submitting with the 4-H Volunteer Application.
- Submit to and successfully pass a Criminal Fingerprint Background Web Check conducted at a local law enforcement or other qualified site. Applicants are responsible for the cost of this check. Applicants, who have successfully passed a criminal fingerprint background check in the last 12 months, may request a copy be sent to the State 4-H Office. Individuals that have not lived in Ohio for the last five years may have to complete a federal background check.
- Participate in a Personal Interview with the County Extension Educator or 4-H team of professionals/volunteers.
- Attend a New 4-H Volunteer Orientation. Contact your County Extension Educator to learn about upcoming county programs and orientation requirements.
Why Are There So Many Steps To Becoming a 4-H Volunteer?
The Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio 4-H Program, like many other organizations, revised their volunteer selection process, in response to Ohio’s Senate Bill 187. Since November 1, 2002, Ohio Extension and 4-H adopted the high standards for volunteer screening and selection as outlined above for volunteers that will have ongoing contact with members of a vulnerable population (minors, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly over age 65). 4-H parents are reassured because this process protects their children and maintains standards of excellence for 4-H volunteers.
Upon successful acceptance as a 4-H volunteer, the Ohio State University Extension organization provides a Secondary Liability Insurance Policy for all current and active volunteers. The policy provides protection for personal injury or property damage arising out of a volunteer’s performance. This coverage is in excess of and non-contributing with any valid or collectible insurance the volunteer may have.
